Perth has come out top of the pops in radio advertising revenue, experiencing the largest percentage increase to reach some $85 million in 2008 as the medium proves to be the most resilient of the traditional media in tough economic times.
According to figures released by industry body Commercial Radio Australia, Perth's commercial advertising revenue rose 9 per cent on 2007's figures to $85.4 million.
Nationally, revenue fell 0.1 per cent from $664.5 million to $643.6 million.
Figures are based from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the 2008 Metropolitan Commercial Radio Advertising Revenue as sourced by Deloitte.
"The radio industry has proved again to be a very resilient media in tough times recording similar revenue to 2007, despite a challenging time for its largest revenue market in Sydney, which recorded patchy results for much of the year," CRA chief executive officer Joan Warner said.
Ms Warner said that despite a difficult last quarter of 2008, some markets, particularly Perth, recorded good growth for much of the year and all markets, except Sydney, had recorded an increase in revenue for 2008.
Sydney dropped 7 per cent to $207.3 million while Melbourne grew by 3 per cent to $187.4 million.
Brisbane stations attracted revenue of $102.8 million, up about 1 per cent, and Adelaide was up 0.2 per cent to $60.5 million compared to 2007.
Radio remained a strong medium for Australians in 2008 with an average cumulative audience of 8.79 million people tuning in each week during the year. This was 55,000 more people than in 2007, when 8.74 million people listened on average each week.
On average, Australians spent 17 hours and two minutes per week listening to commercial radio during 2008.
People in Melbourne topped the list for average time spent listening to commercial radio each week across 2008 at 17 hours 48 minutes, followed by Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and then Brisbane at 16 hours 05 minutes.
